Aged Care – Increased Spot Checks for Residential Aged Care Homes

Spot checks to residential aged care services to ensure people are receiving quality care will be increased under this year’s Budget to around 5,200 per year, including 3,000 unannounced visits with all homes receiving at least one unannounced visit.

Why is this important?

While the majority of aged care homes are providing quality care all year round there is a small minority of providers who must improve the safety and security of the vulnerable elderly people living in their homes.

Visits by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency will increase substantially to around 5,200 per year, including some 3,000 unannounced visits, with all homes receiving at least one unannounced visit per year. These extra spot checks will focus on care standards and provide an incentive for the consistent delivery of high quality care.

Who will benefit?

Over 194,000 residents each year in Government funded aged care homes, their families and the public will have greater confidence in the quality of care.

What funding is the Government committing to this initiative?

The Government will provide new funding of $8.6 million over four years for this initiative.

What have we done in the past?

In 2004-05 the agency undertook 4,438 visits, including 563 unannounced visits, with all homes receiving at least one visit.